Upper Darby man sought in Thanksgiving Day stabbing

By LINDA REILLY

Friday, November 23, 2012

UPPER DARBY -- Police issued an arrest warrant for a township man wanted for a Thanksgiving Day stabbing in the Bywood neighborhood.

Ernest Willie, 29, of the 500 block of Millbank Road, is facing criminal attempt homicide charges for allegedly stabbing the new boyfriend of his 8-year-old son's mother 2:45 p.m. Thursday at a home on the 200 block of Springton Road.

"It was all over a haircut," police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said. "The new boyfriend arrives for Thanksgiving dinner and is met by the former boyfriend. As soon as the new boyfriend arrived, Willie got out of his car. It starts out with a verbal argument and becomes physical.

"He wanted to know what barbershop the victim would take his son to that was followed by the verbal argument. Willie takes out a knife and stabs the guy three times, in the chest, back and side, and takes off in a car. The woman had no idea her old boyfriend was outside. She got between them during the argument, but wasn't able to stop the stabbing."

The victim, 36, was transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and admitted in serious condition for emergency surgery.

According to Chitwood, Willie knows there is a warrant for his arrest.

"He has a long arrest record dating to 1997," Chitwood said. "We'll get him. It's just a matter of time. We called his cellphone and left a message for him to surrender for the happy Thanksgiving stabbing. We alerted area police and put out a bulletin for his arrest. He is considered armed and dangerous."